District op



No Model.)

A. W..WINTHR0P.

BIGYCLE SKIRT.

Patented Nov.. 5, 1895.

wenar:

Qro/Q gbe UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALICE VORTIIINGTON IVINTHROP, OF VASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BICYCLE-SKIRT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,472, dated November 5, 1895.

' Application led September 9, 1895. Serial No. 562,020. (No model.)

WINTHROP, of Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bicycle-Skirts, of

' which the following is a specification.

The bicycle-skirt to which the invention is directed is one which is convertible into either a continuous skirt or a divided skirt. Both the front and the back of the skirt are removable at will, and for this purpose are detachably connected (by hooks and eyes, buttons, or other analogous fastening devices) to a divided skirt. The front and back when in place make the skirt a continuous skirt, not distinguishable from other continuous skirts; but when they are removed the skirt is at once converted into a divided skirt. This form of skirt dispenses with the use of knickerbockers or similar undergarments. It is convenient in that the back and front can be removed by the wearer, leaving a divided skirt, which is the least cumbersome form of ladies apparel for bicycle-riding. The detached parts can be done up in a bundle of small compass and strapped to the bicycle, so as to be available for instant use at any time the wearer may wish, if, for eX ample, she may Wish to quit her bicycle and walk for any distance or length of time. Moreover, the detachable front and back can (either or both of them) be utilized for other purposes when detached from the skirt. I

. propose to make use of the front as a Satchel or pocket and of the back as a hood and cape, for which purpose I so construct them that by rapid and simple adjustment each may be thus converted.

rIhe invention will firstbe explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and will then the handle-bar of a bicycle, the folds being on the dotted lines of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, A represents the bifurcated or divided skirt. It is made of a width equal to` that of the ordinary skirt, and is provided on the middle and lower portion of each of its vmembers with aV seriesA of hooks and eyes c and at its upper portion with a row of buttons a2, for a purpose hereinafter to be set forth.

B represents thedetachable front portion of the skirt, which is cutin such form that the buttonholes b2 with which it is provided on its upper edges may engage and register with the buttons. a2 of the undergarment. It is further provided on its lower side edges with hooks and eyes b, designed to register with and engage the hooks and eyes a of the undergarment. On the under side of this detachable front portion I provide the short straps b3 and the series of buttons b, for a purpose which will presently appear.

. C represents the detachable back portion of my skirt. This is fastened to the undergarment in the same way as the front portion-that is, by means of the hooks and eyes a4 and c on the outer and under garments, respectively-and on its upper edge I provide a row of eyes c2. In the upper corner of this back portion and on the under side thereof I provide a series of rings c3, running in the approximate shape of a semicircle from a point about the middle of the upper edge to a corresponding point on the outer edge thereof. A cord c4, designed to run in these rings, is also provided.

In the use of my bicycle-skirt, the rider is iirst appareled in the bifurcated garment A. The rear portion C is then attached by means of itsvhooks and eyes, the string or cord obeing in a loose state. The front portion is then attached by engaging the buttons 'a2 and but- IOO rings c3 after having inserted ller head in the upper portion of the skirt. The front edges may then be hooked around her body and shoulders by inserting the hooks cinto the eyes C?, with which the edges are provided, or, in case it becomes warm or should she wish to dismount and walk any distance, after detaehing the back portion, as above set forth, she niayalso detach the front portion in a similar manner, and, folding it on thedottcd lines, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, lform a pocket or satchel, into which the rear detachable portion of the skirt may be inserted, the buttonholes b2 of the front portion then engaging the buttons b4 and the contents are prevented from falling out. This pocket or satchel is then, by means of the straps b3, attached to the handle-bars of the bicycle, and the cyclist is thus enabled to continue her journey on foot unimpeded by the weight of the detachable portions of her raiment.

Having thus described my invention and the best manner of carrying the same into eiieet, I state in conclusion that I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise details of construction, as the same may be varied to a considerable extent without departing from the spirit of my invention; but

Vhat I claim as new and ot my own invent-ion, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, is-

A bicycle or riding skirt consisting of a divided skirt and removable front and rear portions covering the lines of division of the skirt at front and rear, said portions being each of narrower dimensions than the width of the respective portions of the skirt and being detachably connected along their side edges to the latter, whereby said removable portions form the front and rear, and the outer sides of the divided skirt form the sides, of the complete garment, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of September, 1895.

ALICE WORIHINGTON WlN'llllOl.

XVitnesses:

EWELL' A. DICK, T. B. KEEFER. 

